UPDATE — Army official apologizes before City Council for no warning of late-night, low-flying helicopters

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Hodges -- Col. H. Charles Hodges, commander of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, speaks to the Port Angeles City Council on July 16, 2013 about an aerial training mission over the city on the night of July 11 that disturbed many residents who had no idea what was happening.

Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News

Col. H. Charles Hodges Jr., commander of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, speaks Tuesday night to the Port Angeles City Council, including members, from left, Mayor Cherie Kidd, Deputy Mayor Brad Collins, and council members Sissi Bruch and Dan Di Guilio. Hodges apologized for not providing better notification about a helicopter training exercise over the city and environs last Thursday night.

PORT ANGELES — An Army official traveled 80 miles from Joint Base Lewis-McChord to apologize in person Tuesday night for an unannounced, late-night training exercise that the Port Angeles mayor says "terrorized" her city with low-flying helicopters.

The Lewis-McChord garrison commander, Col. H. Charles Hodges Jr., told City Council members and about 30 residents that the Army "didn't do the public notification that we typically do" before dispatching the helicopters last Thursday night.

"Again, I apologize for that particular fact," he said.

Some residents thanked Hodges for his apology, while others made clear they felt no apology was needed.

On Monday, Mayor Cherie Kidd went to Lewis-McChord, located near Tacoma, and met with Hodges and two officers with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.

She said they listened to her concerns about the thundering choppers that shook residents, awakened children and startled animals — and said they would try to keep that from happening again.

"You do not owe us an apology; we owe you our deepest heartfelt thanks," resident Robert Summers told Hodges during a public comment period.